You can’t follow your heart to HAPPINESS!

I woke up way too early and found myself watching a World War 2 documentary hoping to fall back asleep. I listened as old men recounted stories of death and sacrifice. The narrator detailed the war effort at home, a country coming together, people denying themselves for a greater good. Denying of self…It’s not somethingContinue reading “You can’t follow your heart to HAPPINESS!”

Things to remember as you long for victory…

What’s your “this”? As Paul famously sat imprisoned for the faith, he knew “this” would turn out for his deliverance through prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:19). He needed prayer and he needed the Holy Spirit to earnestly hope he wouldn’t be ashamed, but that Christ would be magnifiedContinue reading “Things to remember as you long for victory…”

When your faith falters…

The enemy would love for you to believe you are the only one whose faith has faltered. But this is not biblical. Throughout Scripture, God allows us to peak into the lives of some of the most faithful when they were the least faithful. God allows us to see their trust waiver, as He knowsContinue reading “When your faith falters…”

But there is a WAR out there!

I’d like to sit here under my fall blanket, watching the flame from my cider-flavored candle burn, and forget about the crazy world out there. But I can’t. And I wonder if we understand what we are seeing— parents rights being threatened, gender roles being muddied, and “experts” and politicians promoting ridiculous things, are butContinue reading “But there is a WAR out there!”

I sat glued watching the Hurricane, and this struck me—

I sat glued to the coverage of the hurricane coming onshore in Florida. Wind whipped. Trees snapped. Rain pummeled. Transformers exploded. The storms pulled back the ocean like a curtain eerily revealing the coast normally covered by water. Newscasters warned walls of waters would soon be pushed back, bringing historic flooding. So many will sufferContinue reading “I sat glued watching the Hurricane, and this struck me—”

Be Refreshed in this—

I’ve watched him In the mornings for nearly twenty-five years. He opens his Bible. He bows his head and closes his eyes. I know my husband is praying for the Lord to speak to him. And this morning, as I read Psalms 1, the wisdom of this is not lost on me— “Blessed is theContinue reading “Be Refreshed in this—”

Monday Morning Hope

Honestly when I take my eyes off Jesus, I get off base. When I look at this world, it’s the same. When I look to Jesus, it is there, and only there that my thinking becomes clear. There is only ONE hope for man. There is only One Name by which man may be saved.Continue reading “Monday Morning Hope”

I’m convinced of this…

We all want rest for our souls. But many are spinning, struggling, down and depressed. Jesus said, “Come to me when you labor and are heavy laden”(Matt 11:28) When.Not IF. And the thing is, it is possible to labor and not be heavy laden IF our labor is for the Lord. For when I knowContinue reading “I’m convinced of this…”

Remembering God’s Faithfulness

26 years ago …. It isn’t just the date on the calendar, but something about the feel, and the smell, of the late August Tennessee air that carries me back to that day. It’s other things, too, like the anticipation of the first Tennessee football game and the reminder of how much he always lookedContinue reading “Remembering God’s Faithfulness”

My heart is full and sad at the same time…

My heart is full and my heart is sad all at the same time. How this seems to be life of late. Just this week, I have rejoiced, truly happy-tears REJOICED, over the blessing of the marriage of two young people I absolutely adore. I’ve held in awe the newborn baby of two more I’veContinue reading “My heart is full and sad at the same time…”

Famous Tragic Endings and Silent Stories of Hope

August 16, 1977, I was sitting in a car with my mom when the news came over the radio—Elvis Presley had died. Forty-five years ago today and I still remember watching my mom being visibly upset. I was only eight but quickly became obsessed with this famous person who had died so tragically, so young.Continue reading “Famous Tragic Endings and Silent Stories of Hope”

Things Remembered & Things Forgotten

I’ve grown to love the smell of the woods and the peace of a babbling brook. I’ve also learned to love the laughter, thrills and squeals of riding UTVs through mud holes, and up mountains, and discovering the beauty of Tennessee’s backwoods. Recently, on one such adventure we came across a cemetery in the middleContinue reading “Things Remembered & Things Forgotten”

Questions to Ask Yourself When Trouble Comes

I woke up earlywith my troubles,and the troublesof those I love,so very much,on my mind. Again. My heart hurts. I know God teaches so much more in the hard times than He does in the “easy days”. But how do we go from knowing that to actually seeing God in the midst of the trial,Continue reading “Questions to Ask Yourself When Trouble Comes”

You Can Run Back

Desperate. They find the tomb empty.. Suddenly angels appear and remind the women of the words Jesus had said about his death and resurrection. The women run to tell the eleven, but the disciples didn’t believe them. But Peter. Peter rose and ran to the tomb. (Luke 24) Why Peter? We know from other partsContinue reading “You Can Run Back”

Shelter ❤️

FrustratedDesperateConfusedPanickedAngryFearfulDoubtingWearyDiscouragedBroken-heartedTroubledImpatientFalsely-AccusedWorriedPersecutedBetrayedLonelySad Just a few of the emotions the writers of the Psalms had as they cried out to God. Why do we hold back? Why do we feel we must only come to God with “pretty prayers”? This is not Biblical. Running to God with our struggles and unkempt emotions is what God shows usContinue reading “Shelter ❤️”

Want PEACE like a RIVER?

It’s 3am and I’m here thinking there won’t be colonoscopy prep in Heaven! Good grief, this is not fun! But this, is actually a very small problem compared to the trials many in this hard world are walking through. I’m reminded of something God laid on my heart a few years ago as I watchedContinue reading “Want PEACE like a RIVER?”

It’s exhausting, but keep going!

Paul described parenting his spiritual children as “again being in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:19) What a description of Christ-centered parenting and discipleship. It is wrestling, anguish, and frustration. It is asking the Lord to help you know when to speak and when to be quiet. It’s fightingContinue reading “It’s exhausting, but keep going!”

Have you pleaded with God to take “it” away?

Have you ever pleaded, “God, why won’t you take this away?” Paul did. Paul describes the trials and hardships he has endured for the cause of Christ— hard labor, imprisonments, beatings with rods, stonings , robbery, and multiple shipwrecks. He says he had been cold, weary, hungry, and had gone without sleep. He had beenContinue reading “Have you pleaded with God to take “it” away?”

When the storms come…

The thunder pounded. The whole house shook and lightning danced across the sky. I love it. I love storms as they remind me of the awesome power of God—the greatness of the Lord God Almighty. I feel small as I watch the heavens pour forth rain and the wind churn the Tennessee River by myContinue reading “When the storms come…”

DEMONS in the house VERSUS true PEACE

For years, I had read this somewhat strange passage and wondered what it meant— “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and putContinue reading “DEMONS in the house VERSUS true PEACE”